Inflatable ball



Aug. 27, 1929. A. J. TURNER INFLATABLE ALL Filed April 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 27, 1929. TURNER INFLATABLE BALL Fil d Ap il 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Mei???- w Maid J Tamer haw 44M aga Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIBALD J. TURNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THOS. E. WILSON & 00., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

INFLATABLE BALL.

Application filed April 20, 1925. Serial No. 24,337.

My invention relates to inflatable balls, more especially basketballs and footballs, and is concerned with the provision of certain improvements appertaining to the bladder inflation and cover lacing instrumentalities of such inflatable balls.

Recentl there has arisen a demand for basketbal s and footballs which may be laced securely and neatly closed before the bladders thereof are inflated and which,

after being so closed and subsequently whenever required, may be inflated by means of an ordinary airpressure pump. However, the existing demand for such a ball had not been successfully met prior to the advent of my present invention because of certain difficulties attendant upon the use of a metal valve stem in connection with the bladders of such balls,-such metal valve stems being necessar when the ball is to be pump-inflated a ter being laced.

One of the salient features of my invention consists in the provision of a certain cushioning connection between the ball cover 2 and the valve stem which adequately supports the latter on and in the cover, but nevertheless enables it to yield slightly in its mounting when occasion requires so that no undue stress will be thrown on the bladder when the ball is momentarily and forcibly slightl'y distorted from its normal shape in play, as, for instance, when struck or kicked or when it forcibly engages the floor or ground. Another purpose of the cushioning connection between the cover and valve stem is to avoid any metallic sound when any part of the ball in the vicinityv of the valve stem forcibly engages any hard surface.

In addition to the foregoing, my invention contemplates the provision of improved lacing means for closing the bladder insertion openings of basketballs and footballs which are provided with the valve stem supporting and cushioning means to which I have previously alluded.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a basketball embodying the improvements of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary interior view of the parts of the ball with which my invention is particularly concerned;

Fig. 4 is an isolated sectional view of the resilient member which supports and cushions the valve stem of the bladder;

Fig.5 is an elevational view of a football embodying my invention;

Fig. 0 is an enlarged fragmentary sectiogiial view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, an

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary interior view of those portions of the ball with which my invention i particularly concerned.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3, I have illustrated a basketball comprising the usual cover consisting of the several leather members 1010 which are stitched together in the usual or any suitable manner. For a short distance, approximately three or four inches, the contiguous margins of a pair of the cover members are left unstitched to provide the bladder insertion opening 11. Disposed adjacent each of the margins of the opening 11 and secured to the inner sur faces of the contiguous cover members 10 are the opening reenforcement strips 12 and 13 each of which comprises a leather strip folded back upon itself along its central longitudinal line and disposed adjacent the inner surface of the associated cover member 10 with the folded margin of said strip presented to the opening 11. Strips 12 and 13 are secured to their associated cover members by stitching 14, 15 and 16. Stitchings 14 and 15 pass through the cover members 10 and through both plies of the reenforcing strips 12 or 13, while stitching 16 merely extends through the cover members and through the outer plies of the reenforcing strips 12 and 13. This construction provides elongated lace-receiving pockets 17 and 18 which are provided with spaced apertures at the folds of the strips 12 and 13, these apertures being designated 17, 17, 17, etc., and 18 18", 18, etc. Adapted to cooperate with the said apertures and the pockets 17 and 18 is a lace 19. The manner in which this lace is passed through the said apertures and pockets will be hereinafter described in detail.

Disposed within the aforesaid cover is a rubber bladder 20 provided with a hollow metal valve stem 21 through which it may be inflated. This valve stem is mounted on the bladder in substantially the same way that an automobile tire stem is mounted on its associated inner tube. Valve stem 21 is relatively short, is provided with external threads 22 and is equipped with the usual or any suitable valve insides, which, of course, comprises a valve seating against pressure from the outside and comprising the usual valve unseating member 23.

Formed in one of the cover members 10 and located adjacent the bladder insertion opening 11 is a circular aperture 24 which registers with corresponding apertures in both plies of the adjacent reenforcing strip 12, these several apertures, on account of the three thicknesses of leather through which they extend, affording a passage through the cover which is of a length considerably greater than the distance from the top of the valve stem 21 to the top of the valve unseating member 23.

Disposed adjacent the inner ply of the reenforcing strip 12 is the stem holding and cushioning member which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. This member, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, consists of a rectangular piece of comparatively soft rubber 25 which is molded around an internally threaded sleeve 26 which, in turn, is provided with a flange 27 whereby it is securely anchored in said rubber cushion 25. Element 25 is preferably reenforeed by a piece of fabric 28 which is embedded therein and which extends fromsleeve 26 to the margins of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is preferably provided with a plane surface 29 to engage the reenforcing strip 12 and with a convex curved surface 30 for engagement with thebladder. Member 26 is preferably thickvat its central portion and thins out toward its edges. Attention is directed to the fact that both the sleeve 26 and its flange 27 lie within the plane surface 29 so that any sharp blow against the cover in the vicimty of t e said sleeve will be cushioned from such sleeve (and from the bladder valve stem) by the intervening rubber.

The aforesaid valve stem holding and cushioning member is attached to the reenforcing strip 12 with the sleeve 26 in registry with the passage through the cover, the rubber element 25 being stitched in position and also, if desired, havin its surface 29 cemented to the inner ply of t e reenforc-,

" ing strip 12. As a means for-holding the .stem when the ball is in play. These distances 'need not be great, but should exist.

Let it be assumed that the bladder 20 is out of the cover and that the lace 19 is also removed from the cover. In preparing the ball for play, the deflated bladder 20 is inserted through the cover opening 11 and the external threads of the valve stem 21 are turned into cooperating engagement with the internal threads of the sleeve 26 of the cushioning element. With the parts 21 and 26 thus properly assembled, the upper end of the valve stem lies in the passage through the leather cover, but lies Well within the outer surface of the cover. from contact with the hands of a layer or other object the ball may engage, ut is so located that a tire pump may be applied to the stem. The valve stem will usually be provided with internal threads to engage suitable external threads on the coupling member which forms part of the pump.

The lace 19 is now applied, its ends being inserted into the pockets 17 and 18 through the apertures 17 and 18, respectively, and being led through such pockets and out of the apertures 17" and 18", res ectively. The end of the lace thus exten ed out of the aperture 17 is then led through the aperture 18" and along the pocket 18 to the aperture 17, where it emerges from the pocket 17 and again enters the pocket 18 through the aperture 18. The portion of the lace which emerged from the pocket 17 through the opening 17 similarly enters the pocket 18 throu h a erture "18", leaves said last mentione poc et throughaperture 18 and enters pocket 17 throu h aperture 17 This manner of threading t e two ortions of the lace through the pockets an pocket apertures is continued across the opening, the two ends of the lace being tied securely together at the left side of the opening (Fig. 3), the knot and the superfluous ends of the lace being tucked down to lie within the cover.

The type of lacing just described is very efiective and desirablein connection with a over the opening as it would-be if the open- It is thus free a ing did not exist. Furthermore, no part of the lacing is exposed to view or for contact with the fingers of a player. Moreover, the lacing is so well protected by the reenforcing strips 12 and 13 that it has practically no tendency to cha'fe the bladder.

After the ball has been laced up as just described, a suitable pump is applied to inflate the bladder. WVhen'ever the ball becomes soft it may again be inflated by the ap plication of the pump to the bladder valve stem.

The football illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, comprises a cover consisting of the members 40-40 (usually four of these) which are stitched together in the usual manner, the stitches being eliminated for a short distance along the meeting edges of twocontiguous ones of the members 40 to provide the bladder insertion opening 41. The football cover is preferably provided with the usual fabric lining indicated at 42. Disposed within the cover and located on either side of the bladder insertion opening 41 are leather reenforcin'g strips 43 and 44' which are held in position by stitching 45, 46 and 47, each of these stitch'ngs preferably extending through cover members 40, reenforcing strip 43 or 44 and the intervening portion of the lining 42.

Formed in the cover members 4040, disposed alongside'the bladder insertion opening 41 and extending entirely through the cover, the lining and the reenforcement strips 43 and 44, are the two sets of lacereceiving apertures 48", 48, 48, etc., and 49, 49", 49, etc. Associated with these apertures is a lace 50, the preferred manner of inserting which will presently be described.

The football bladder, indicated at 51, is provided with a valve stem which need not dlffer in any respect from the valvestem of the basketball bladder previously described, this valve stem of the football bladder being resiliently supported in the football cover by a cushioning element similar to that employed in connection with the basketball which is secured to the reenforcement strip 43 in substantially the same way that the cushionin member of the basketball is secured to Its associated reenforcin'g strip "12.

In the case of the football, like that of the basketball, the bladder is inserted into the cover in a deflated condition and is not inflateduntil the opening 41 has been laced closed. In applying the lace 50 to the football herein illustrated, I prefer to extend the ends of the lace outwardly through the apertures 48 and 49 and then to pass each of the outwardly threadedendsdirectly across the insertion opening and through the opposite aperture. Thus the end of the lace which was led outwardly through the aperture 48" is passed inwardly through the aperture 49, whereas the portion of the lace which was led outwardly through the aperture 49 is" led inwardly through the aperture 48". Each of the portions of the lace is now led parallel to the insertion opening and along the inner surface of the ball to the next pair of apertures to the left (Fig. 7), whereupon they are led outwardly through said last mentioned apertures, 48 and 49, and are extended across the insertion opening on the outer surface of the ball, the end of the lace leaving the ball through aperture 48 reentering the ball through aperture 49", while that end of the lace leaving the ball through aperture 49* reenters the ball through aperture 48". This method threading the two ends of the lace across the insertion opening on the exterior of the ball and alongside the insertion opening on the interior of the ball is continued until the insertion opening has been tightly and neatly closed. The ends of the lace are then tied together, and the knot and superfluous ends of the lace are tucked down through the insertion opening into the interior of the ball.

The form of lacing last described is particularl advantageous in connection with football s. It is of good appearance, extremely strong, and affords a plurality of spaced parallel double portions of the lace on the exterior of the ball for engagement by the fingers of a player in effecting a pass.

Having thus illustrated and described two preferred illustrative embodiments of my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An inflatable ball comprising a bladder .and'a cover having an opening therein for the insert-ionof the bladder, means for closing said opening, a yielding valve stem supporting and cushioning.element comprising stantial registrywith said opening, a flange projecting from said attaching member, resilient material on opposite sides of said flange, means for connecting said attaching member to said cover, a stem carried by said bladder having a valve element therein, and screw threads on said attaching member and on said valve stem for connecting said Valve stem to said attaching-member.

stem supportin of a cover with a bladder having a v embedded therein an internally threaded hollow member registerin 'with said aperture,

1 and a valve stem for said bladder having external screw threads'engaging the internal threads of said member, 4

4; An inflatable ball comprising abladder and a cover havin an-opening for the inser- 15 tion of said bla der, an aperture in said cover spaced from said opening, a bladder v stem supporting and cushioning element of resilient material secured to the inside of the cover opposite said aperture and having em- 20 bedded therein an internally threaded hollow member registering with said aperture, said resilient supporting and cushioning ele ment being provided with a convex curved inner surface for en aging the portions of the bladder lying a jacent the hereinafter mentioned valve stem, and a valve stem for said bladder having external screw threads aigaging. the internal threads of said mem- 5. In an inflatable ball, the combination of a cover with a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperturefor access to said valve stem, a reslllent cushioning member carried by said cover and having a stem supporting member molded therein,

and means for securing said stem to said,

stem supporting member. 7

6. In an inflatable ball, the combination of a cover with a; bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for access to said valve stem, a resilient-cushioning member carried by said cover and having a stem supporting member embedded therein,

r and means for securing said stem to said stem supporting member, said resilient cushioning member being provided with an out wardly tapering edge.

7. In an inflatable ball, the combination.

of a cover with a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for access to said valve/stem, a resilient cushioning member carriedhy said cover and having a stem supporting member molded therein, means for securingsaid stem to said stem supporting member, and a flexible reenforcgag member secured to said cushioning memr. 8. In an inflatable ball, the combination stem, said cover having an aperture for ac \Jo said valve stem, a reenforcing strip secured to the inner wall of the casing a jacent said aperture, a resilient cushioning element carried by said reenforcing strip and having a stem supporting member embedded therein, and means for. securing said stem to said stem supporting member.

9. In an inflatable ball,- the combination of'a cov'erwith a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperturefor access to said valve stem, a reenforcing strip secured to the inner wall of the casing ad'- jacent said aperture, a resilient cushioning element carried by said .reenforcing strip and having a stem supporting member em- 'bedded therein, means for securing said stem to said stem supporting member, and a flexible reenforcing member secured "to said cushionin member for engagingsaid reenforcing strip. v I

10. In an inflatable ba l l,-the combination of a cover with 'a bladder having a valve stem, said coverhaving an aperture for access to said valve stem, a resilient cushioning member carried by said cover and having ;a stem supporting member molded therein, and means for securing said stem to said stem supporting member, the end of said stem supporting member nearest the cover terminating within the cushioning member whereby said cover is cushioned from said stem supporting member.

-11. In an inflatable .ball, the combination of a cover with a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for ac: cess to said valve stem,aa-resilient cushi0ning member carried, by said cover and having a stem supporting member embedded therein, a laterally extending 'member carried by said stem supporting member to secure said stem supporting member to said resilient cushioning member, and means for securing said stem to said .stem supporting member.

Y 12. In an inflatable ball, the combination of a cover with a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for access to saldvalve stem, a resilient cushloning member carried by said cover and having a stem supporting member embedded therein, a flange carried by said stem supporting member to secure said stem supportmember, and means for securing'said stem to said stem supporting member.

1-3. In an inflatable ball, the combination of a cover wit-h abladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for ac ing member to said resilient cushioning' cess to said valve stem, a resilient cushioning member carried by said cover and having a stem supporting member embedded therein, a laterally extending member'carried by said stem supporting-member, a flex ible reenforcing member secured to said cushioning member, and means for securing said stem to said stem supporting member, said flexible reenforcingmember being p0 sitioned between said cover and said later ally extending member, i

14. In an inflatable ball, the combination of a cover with a bladder having a valve stem, said cover having an aperture for access to said valve stem, a resilient cushion- 5 ing member carried by said cover and having a stem supporting member embedded therein, a laterally extending member carried by said stem supporting member, a flexible reenforcing member secured to said cushioning member, and means for securing 10 said stem to said stem supporting member. In witness whereof, I hereunto lbubscribe my name this 17th day of April, 1925. I

ARCHIBALD J. TURNER. 

